Jeremiah 5 28

Jeremiah 5:28 kjv

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Jeremiah 5:28 nkjv

They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend.

Jeremiah 5:28 niv

and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.

Jeremiah 5:28 esv

they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy.

Jeremiah 5:28 nlt

They are fat and sleek,
and there is no limit to their wicked deeds.
They refuse to provide justice to orphans
and deny the rights of the poor.

Jeremiah 5 verses

Jeremiah 5 28 Meaning

Jeremiah 5:28 profoundly reveals the severe moral decay and widespread social injustice in Judah. The nation's prosperous and well-fed leaders, rather than using their abundance for good, had grown complacent and morally depraved. They were accused of exceeding the wickedness of others, specifically by actively failing to advocate for or defend the legal rights of the most vulnerable: the orphan and the poor. Their physical comfort and affluence had become a stark symbol of their spiritual bankruptcy and callous disregard for God's covenantal demands for justice.

Jeremiah 5 28 Context

Jeremiah 5 describes God's indictment of Judah for widespread apostasy and moral corruption, particularly social injustice, leading to His justified judgment. The chapter details a people who refuse to repent, have eyes but do not see God's truth (Jer 5:21), and lack understanding. Despite being blessed with abundant rains and harvests (Jer 5:24), they betray God by following false gods and indulging in grievous sins (Jer 5:25-27). Jeremiah 5:28 immediately follows a depiction of their greedy accumulation of wealth and deceit (Jer 5:27), setting the stage for the specific charge that their prosperity had fueled their indifference and oppression of the most defenseless in society. This systemic injustice—especially the perversion of the legal system and the neglect of orphans and the poor—was a direct violation of their covenant with God and served as a primary reason for the impending Babylonian invasion and destruction, elaborated in chapter 6.

Jeremiah 5 28 Word analysis

• They are grown fat (שָׁמְנוּ, sham'nū): From the root shāman, meaning "to be fat, prosperous." In this context, it implies physical abundance and ease, which has led to spiritual dullness and moral complacency. It can be a metaphor for gross indulgence and insensitivity, often linking to pride and a rejection of God's ways (e.g., Deut 32:15).

• they are sleek (עָשְׁתוּ, āsh'tū): Likely from a root implying being well-fed or shiny. This further emphasizes their excessive prosperity and self-indulgence. It might also suggest a smooth, hardened conscience, showing no empathy or remorse.

• they have even surpassed the deeds of the wicked (עָבְרוּ דִּבְרֵי רָע, āv'rū divrei rā'):

  • עָבְרוּ (āv'rū): "They have passed over, exceeded, gone beyond." This highlights the exceptional degree of their wickedness; they are not merely wicked, but have gone further than what might be typically expected.
  • דִּבְרֵי רָע (divrei rā'): "Deeds/matters of evil." The plural "deeds" (or "words" which can represent actions) underscores the breadth of their corruption. Their evil is profound and systemic.

• they do not plead the case, the case of the orphan (דִּין לֹא דָּנוּ דִּין יָתוֹם, dīn lō dānū dīn yāthōm):

  • דִּין (dīn): "Justice, judgment, legal case."
  • לֹא דָּנוּ (lō dānū): "They do not judge/plead/contend for." The double negative sense, "not judging a judgment," powerfully emphasizes their absolute failure. It refers to their direct neglect or corruption within the legal system.
  • דִּין יָתוֹם (dīn yāthōm): "The case/justice of the orphan." The "orphan" (yāthōm) consistently represents the most vulnerable and unprotected members of society, along with widows and sojourners, whose rights God explicitly commanded to protect (Exod 22:22).

• nor defend the rights of the poor (וְרִב לֹא יַצְלִיחוּ, vərīv lō yatzlīchū):

  • וְרִב (vərīv): "And the legal claim/controversy/dispute." This further specifies the legal action required.
  • לֹא יַצְלִיחוּ (lō yatzlīchū): "They do not make succeed/prosper." From tsālach, "to succeed, prosper, advance." It implies not only a failure to initiate legal action but also to allow justice to prevail for the poor. They actively hinder or prevent the just cause of the poor from gaining victory in the courts or society.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "They are grown fat, they are sleek": This pairing paints a vivid picture of individuals enjoying luxurious living without responsibility. Their outward prosperity ironically highlights their inward moral emptiness, suggesting gluttony of spirit.
  • "They have even surpassed the deeds of the wicked": This is a shocking accusation. It means their wickedness is not merely typical but an extreme form, particularly grievous because it comes from those who should uphold the law and model righteousness. It suggests calculated and systemic injustice.
  • "They do not plead the case, the case of the orphan": The repetition of "the case" underscores a deliberate and active neglect of justice. It's not an oversight, but a systemic failure within the legal structures, denying due process or fair hearing to the utterly powerless.
  • "Nor defend the rights of the poor": This extends the failure beyond the "orphan" to the broader category of "the poor." It signifies that their societal roles (e.g., judges, wealthy influencers) were perverted; they did not allow the cause of the poor to advance, actively participating in or allowing injustice.

Jeremiah 5 28 Bonus section

• Prosperity as a Trap: In Judah's case, material wealth became a snare, fostering spiritual apathy and leading to moral decay rather than fostering gratitude and responsible stewardship.
• Targeted Indictment: This verse is particularly potent because it likely refers to the powerful, wealthy, and legal authorities—the very people meant to be the guardians of justice. Their corruption signals a complete breakdown of society from the top down.
• Covenant Fidelity Test: The care for the orphan and poor was a touchstone of covenant fidelity (Deut 10:18; Exod 22:22-23). Their failure in this specific area was a direct violation of their relationship with God.
• Foreshadowing Judgment: Such pervasive social injustice and neglect of divine commands served as undeniable evidence, according to God's justice, that the people were ripe for judgment and exile, a theme constantly emphasized by Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 5 28 Commentary

Jeremiah 5:28 lays bare the core societal rot in Judah: those blessed with prosperity and entrusted with positions of influence had become morally corrupt to an astonishing degree. Their "fatness" and "sleekness," symbols of material blessing, had perverseley nurtured spiritual arrogance and a cruel indifference to the suffering of others. This wasn't merely a private failing; it manifested as a blatant subversion of divine law in the public square. God's covenant fundamentally demanded justice for the most vulnerable, exemplified by the orphan and the poor. The leaders' deliberate refusal to plead for or advance the cases of these helpless ones—effectively denying them any chance of legal or social recourse—demonstrated a profound contempt for God and His righteousness. This verse highlights that true godliness is inseparable from active social justice, making their flagrant injustice a primary cause for God's impending severe judgment. Their actions were not just evil but surpassed "normal" wickedness, reflecting a society steeped in an ingrained culture of oppression.